April 2024 PPM Ratings Takeaways – Part Four
April 2024 PPM Data – Information for the April 2024 survey period (March 28 – April 24) has been released for Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford.
The only requirement for a spoken-word station to be included here is that they be a Nielsen Audio subscriber – there are no share or rank thresholds.
MLB; NBA; and NHL team names of corresponding spoken-word flagship(s) are bolded.
MLB’s 2024 season officially started March 20 when the Dodgers and Padres played two games in South Korea. The other 28 teams played their first game March 28.
NBA and NHL playoffs began April 20.
DNA – DNA = Did Not Appear – Does Not Appear
Comparisons are March 2024 – April 2024 (6+).
AUSTIN
News/Talk
KLBJ-AM 3.8 – 4.5, #9 – #7
KJCE .1 – .1, #30 – #30
News
None
Sports Talk
KBPA-HD2 .9 – .9, #21 – #21
KVET-AM .7 – .5, #23 – #24
KTAE DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
KUT 8.4 – 7.6, #2 – #2
KUT-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
RALEIGH
News/Talk
WTKK 7.3 – 7.3, #4 – #4
WPTF .6 – .6, #23 – #23
News
WRAL-HD3 .5 – .7, #24 – #21
Sports Talk
WCMC-FM 3.0 – 3.1, #13 – #12 (Carolina Hurricanes)
WCMC-FM HD2 DNA – .1, DNA – #25 (Carolina Hurricanes)
Public Radio News/Talk
WUNC 8.7 – 7.9, #2 – #3
Note: Public radio news/talk WUNC’s -.8 (8.7 – 7.9) is tied for Raleigh’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.
INDIANAPOLIS
News/Talk
WIBC 5.1 – 5.7, #8 – #7
News
WOLT-HD2 DNA – .2, DNA – #25
Sports Talk
WIBC-HD2 2.6 – 2.3, #16 – #16
WNDE .5 – .3, #22 – #22
WXNT DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
WFNI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Pacers)
Public Radio News/Talk
WFYI 5.6 – 5.9, #6 – #6
MILWAUKEE
News/Talk
WISN 9.0 – 10.3, eighth consecutive month at #1
WLIP .1 – .1, #26 – #26
WAUK .2 – DNA, #22 – DNA
WTMJ DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA (Brewers)
WGKB DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
News
None
Sports Talk
WRNW 2.4 – 2.3, #15 – #15
WOKY .1 – .2, #26 – #21
WSSP .2 – .2, #22 – #21
WKTI DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WUWM 2.9 – 3.3, #13 – #10
WHAD 1.3 – 1.8, #17 – #16
WHAD Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Note: News/talk WISN’s +1.3 (9.0 – 10.3) represents Milwaukee’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.
NASHVILLE
News/Talk
WWTN 6.5 – 5.7, #5 – #5
WLAC 1.8 – 1.7, #18 – #18
News
WNRQ-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Sports Talk
WGFX 6.6 – 5.5, #4 – #7
WPRT 2.3 – 2.5, #17 – #17 (Predators)
Public Radio News/Talk
WPLN 4.8 – 3.2, #9 – #15
WPLN-HD3 Stream .2 – DNA, #23 – DNA
Note: Public radio news/talk WPLN’s -1.6 (4.8 – 3.2) represents Nashville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 decrease.
PROVIDENCE
News/Talk
WPRO-AM 6.2 – 7.0, #5 – #4
WHJJ 1.3 – 1.1, #13 – #12
News
None
Sports Talk
WVEI 1.5 – 1.7, #11 – #9
WPRV .1 – .1, #18 – #18
WBZ-FM DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
Public Radio News/Talk
WGBH 2.1 – 2.1, #8 – #8
WNPN 1.4 – 1.0, #12 – #13
WCAI .1 – .1, #18 – #18
NORFOLK
News/Talk
WNIS 2.0 – 2.1, #14 – #14
WGH-FM HD2 .1 – .1, #23 – #24
News
WNOH .3 – .3, #21 – #23
Sports Talk
WVSP 1.3 – 1.1, #17 – #17
WGH-AM .1 – .1, #23 – #24
Public Radio News/Talk
None
JACKSONVILLE
News/Talk
WOKV-FM 8.3 – 9.1, #3 – #3
News
WJBT-HD2 .DNA – .2, DNA – #21
Sports Talk
WOKV-AM .2 – .2, #21 – #21
Public Radio News/Talk
WJCT 2.1 – 2.4, #13 – #13
Note: News/talk WOKV-FM’s +.8 (8.3 – 9.1) is Jacksonville’s largest (6+) March 2024 – April 2024 increase.
WEST PALM BEACH
News/Talk
WFTL 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8
WZZR 1.1 – 1.2 #13 – #13
WJNO 1.1 – .9, #13 – #14
News
None
Sports Talk
WMEN .4 – .5, #17 – #16
WBZT .4 – .3, #17 – #19
Public Radio News/Talk
WLRN 2.6 – 2.6, #8 – #8
WLRN-HD2 Stream DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
GREENSBORO
News/Talk
WPTI 3.5 – 3.9 #11 – #10
News
None
Sports Talk
None
Public Radio News/Talk
WFDD 4.6 – 4.4, #6 – #7
WUNC 2.5 – 2.5, #12 – #12
MEMPHIS
News/Talk
WREC 1.8 – 1.4, #8 – #10
KWAM .4 – .4, #13 – #13
News
None
Sports Talk
WMFS 2.3 – 2.3, #7 – #7 (Grizzlies)
WMFS Stream .2 – .2, #15 – #15 (Grizzlies)
WMC-AM DNA – .2, DNA – #15
Public Radio News/Talk
WKNO 1.6 – 1.1, #10 – #11
WKNO-HD2 DNA – DNA, DNA – DNA
HARTFORD
News/Talk
WTIC-AM 6.2 – 5.4, #5 – #6
WDRC-AM 1.6 – 1.6, #16 – #16
WPOP .2 – .2, #20 – #20
WTIC-AM Stream .2 – .2, #20 – #20
News
None
Sports Talk
WUCS 2.1 – 1.8, #13 – #14
Public Radio News/Talk
WNPR 5.0 – 5.0, #7 – #7
WFCR .4 – .4, #18 – #18
The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s April 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered March 28 through April 24. Today, TALKERS managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM dips two-tenths to finish with a 4.6 share (weekly, 6+ AQH share) and slides back to the #6 rank, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 7.8 share good for the #2 rank. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO declines one-tenth for a 3.3 share finish and holds steady at the #12 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-AM rises three-tenths to a 4.9 share, yet it falls one spot to the #7 rank. In Seattle, Bonneville’s news/talk KIRO-FM dips one-tenth to a 3.8 share and slides down to the #10 rank, while Lotus Communications’ all-news KNWN-AM/FM loses one-tenth to finish with a 2.4 share and remains ranked #18. 
his radio career in 2010 in Battle Creek, for WBCK-FM and WBXX-FM, former Cumulus stations now owned by Townsquare Media. Cumulus president of operations Bob Walker comments, “Steve has proven himself to be an accomplished leader in the Dallas market the past 10 years and we are thrilled to have him moving back home to Michigan, an area of the country that is important to Steve and his family. We are excited for him to get started and eager to see the impact he will have.” Holm says, “I’m very thankful for the opportunity to come back home. The Grand Rapids and Muskegon teams are a tightly knit group and are determined and ready to win. I’m excited to be joining them and look forward to the challenges and growth ahead.”
Moberly, Missouri – including news/talk KWIX – have been let go and all programming is now syndicated. The same is being reported about the company’s stations in the Farmington/Festus, Missouri market that includes news/talk KJFF. KOMU-TV reports that Moberly market manager Bob Dakin would not comment on how many employees were let go but confirmed that all local programming – including news and sports – is being replaced by national content. 
as well as conservative talk KTTH-AM morning drive host Bryan Suits. The report indicates that evening host Jake Skorheim moves to PM drive to co-host the 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm “John & Jake” show with John Curley. The evening daypart will be filled by CBS Audio’s “John Batchelor Show.” Taking over the KTTH-AM morning drive daypart from Suits is the syndicated “Armstrong & Getty” show. 
trip to the semifinals in the NCAA Tournament. GKB founder and CEO Craig Karmazin comments, “We are proud to introduce broader coverage of Badgers Volleyball and to create additional avenues for audience expansion. It is an exciting time, and our partnership with UW Athletics will present opportunities for a team that is proven to be best in class both on and off the court.” GKB market manager Greg Scalzo adds, “We are excited to build off of the already established UW Women’s Volleyball brand and enthusiasm surrounding women’s sports to deliver the ultimate listening experience for fans.”
after being diagnosed with kidney cancer, worked in the radio industry for 40 years – almost 20 of those years as morning host for WJBC. WJBC states, “Laughlin was a longtime supporter of the Salvation Army, volunteering each year to ring bells and help raise money for the Bloomington non-profit. That included the ‘Cubs vs. Cards’ challenge with his good friend Gary Morefield – and the ‘Scott vs. Scott’ challenge alongside WJBC’s Scott Miller. Last year, the Salvation Army created the ‘Scott Laughlin Spirit Award’ to honor its top fundraisers through the annual red kettle campaign.” Laughlin is survived by his wife Lori.
top of these trends when developing cross-channel media strategies. That’s why we created The Record – a quarterly look at how U.S. audiences spend their time with audio. An important tool 
for advertisers, artists, broadcasters, and podcasters alike, The Record offers a unique view of time spent with ad-supported content. The total use of audio is significant – Americans spend more than four hours with audio every day – and it’s important to view it from multiple lenses. Consumers give nearly 70% of their daily ad-supported audio time to radio, 20% to podcasts and the rest to streaming audio (music services) or satellite radio (select channels). Data from the first quarter of 2024 indicates that (for over-the-air and streaming combined), by format news/talk was tops with the 35+ demographic with a 12.3 share of total audience and was also first in persons 18+ with a 10.8 share of total audience. 
KDKA-TV personality who became afternoon drive host at news/talk KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh in December of 2020. Colin Dunlap appears to be set to continue hosting the afternoon drive show solo. Audacy has stated that these staff cuts will amount to “less than 2%” of the company’s workforce.
March 2024 PPM Data – Information for the March 2024 ratings period (February 29 – March 27) has been released for: Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis.
president and market manager Marv Nyren says, “WLS is bigger than a destination on your radio dial – it’s a Chicago institution and treasure. 100 years ago, radio was simply sound communication via radio waves but there’s nothing simple about the impact of WLS on Chicago. WLS has been a neighbor, a friend, and a mentor for people in Chicagoland. It’s been a place where people can go for entertainment and information – and it’s been a companion to the biggest moments in history. We are excited to usher in WLS-AM’s next 100 years with Chicago’s best audio content on-air, online, on-demand, and onsite.”
director Mark Garrison after he asked if President Joe Biden suffers from dementia. Garrison did ask Jean-Pierre that question and she responded, “Mark, I can’t even believe you’re asking me this question. That is an incredibly offensive question to ask.” Then, after presenting the president’s accomplishments, Jean-Pierre thanked Garrison and ended the call. The White House says WBT was given seven minutes as part of Jean-Pierre’s media schedule and that she ended the interview at that time. The White House also suggested that the station employed a bit of theater by adding a dial-tone sound effect to the end of the interview that its phones don’t make after a call ends. 
as a satellite radio studio for Bold Gold Media’s four local broadcast radio stations, including news/talk WVOS-AM/W223DB “Catskills News Talk 92.5 & 94.9.” Bold Gold Studios will be available for lease opportunities, and offers brand new professional audio and video recording gear, with experts available to assist in recording, producing, and even marketing branded multi-media podcast or A/V productions. The company will hold a grand opening celebration on April 19. Bold Gold New York general manager Dawn Ciorciari says, “We are grateful to Bruce Davidson at the Liberty Theater for partnering with Bold Gold Media to create and manage this state-of-the-art studio in his historic building. This studio will extend Bold Gold Media’s reach in Sullivan and the Catskills and serve as a new professional space for audio and video content creators.”
Hannity Show” and the “Sports Nightly” program. KLIN general manager Ami Graham tells the paper that Parsons was not terminated for cause, “We’ve just chosen to go in a different direction.” For his part, Parsons tells the Journal Star that “he tried cutting against the grain by hosting a talk radio show that stressed ‘lifting up instead of tearing down — and truth over tribalism. I thought we were taking radio in a different direction.’” 
“It’s much better working with Tatjana than against her. She is a powerhouse seller and a dependable colleague. Audacy’s Austin sales team is set to have a successful future with her influence.” Deegan comments, “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the incredibly talented sales team at Audacy in Austin under the leadership of Doug. For the second time in my career, I am eager to learn from him and cannot wait to bring everything I’ve got to the table!”
The fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Austin, Waterloo Media’s news/talk KLBJ-AM drops six-tenths to finish with a 5.1 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #5, while Audacy’s news/talk KJCE-AM rises two-tenths for a 0.3 share and stays ranked #28. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM rises half a share to finish with an 8.0 share that lifts it to the #3 rank, while Curtis Media’s news/talk WPTF loses two-tenths for a 0.8 share finish good for the #19 rank. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM tacks on three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 5.7 share and inches up to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC is steady with a 2.1 share but moves up one spot to the #17 rank.